The Hindu : Kerala News : Sabarimala festival begins

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Thursday, Mar 13, 2008
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Kerala

Sabarimala festival begins

Staff Reporter

ceremonious start: The flag-hoisting ceremony marking the beginning of the 10-day festival at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala on Wednesday.

PATHANAMTHITTA: The auspicious ‘kodiyettu’ (flag hoisting) ceremony, marking the beginning of the 10-day annual festival at the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, was held with religious fervour on Wednesday.

The rituals began with Tantri Kandararu Maheswararu, assisted by Melsanthi T.K. Krishnan Namboodiri, performing puja to the ‘kodikkoora’ (ceremonial flag) in the morning. The flag was taken out in a customary procession to the

gold-plated temple mast, later, with the accompaniments of a caparisoned elephant and traditional temple orchestra.

The Tantri also performed puja before the mast prior to the ‘kodiyettu’ held in an atmosphere charged with devotion.

The Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court, M. Rajendran; P. Narayanan and P.K. Sumathykutty Amma, both Travancore Devaswom Board members, and C.G. Satchidanandan, Devaswom Commissioner, were among those attended the function.

The Utsavabali ritual will be performed after the Utchapuja on all days from March 13 to 20. The Utsavabali darshan at the temple precincts will be held between 11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m., according to Executive Officer A.C. Godavarma.

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